State of Gaming report: https://tinyurl.com/5eyye63d
In this episode, Mishka Katkoff sits down with Sensor Tower gaming insights analyst Sam Aune to dissect the state of mobile gaming in 2025. They unpack download trends, the evolving UA playbook, the hybrid casual boom, and shifting genre engagement. The conversation dives into emerging markets, how ads really impact player behavior, and what Gen Z expects from modern mobile games. Backed by fresh Sensor Tower data, Aune breaks down where the biggest opportunities—and pitfalls—lie for today’s game makers.
02:10 Current Trends in Mobile Gaming Downloads
05:12 User Acquisition and Monetization Strategies
07:45 Engagement Trends in Game Genres
11:31 The Rise of Hybrid Casual Games
16:49 Emerging Markets and Growth Opportunities
23:39 Revenue Trends Across Game Genres
27:36 Balancing Niche and Audience Size
30:59 The Decline of New Game Releases
31:56 Understanding Gen Z Players
35:38 Gender Targeting in Game Development
41:55 The Role of IP in Game Success
45:04 Market Concentration and Expansion Strategies